Bipolar Disorder Factoids   1. Manic depression is now more commonly termed bipolar disorder. The name is due to the two polar opposites of mood swings from very high, mania, to very low, depression. 2. Mood shifts may occur as infrequently as only a couple of times in a year, or as rapidly as a couple of times per day. Some people may experience some symptoms of both moods at the same time. 3. The variation in symptoms and mood changes means that bipolar disorder is categorized into different types -- bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymia. 4. Bipolar I involves severe symptoms of depression and mania, drastically affecting quality of life. 5. Bipolar II is easier to manage, with less interference in the ability to perform daily activities. Manic episodes are more mild, called hypomania, and symptoms of depression occur most often. 6. Cyclothymia involves mild changes in depression and mania which cause some difficulty in daily life but are easy to manage and are much less severe than types I and II. 7. Symptoms of mania include feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, increase ambition and drive to accomplish goals, inflated self-esteem, poor judgement, risky or aggressive behavior, less need to sleep and increased physical and sexual activity, difficulty concentrating, impulsive spending, racing thoughts and rapid speech, and psychosis. 8. Symptoms of depression include feeling sad, hopeless, anxious or guilty, irritability, eating too much or too little, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, fatigue, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, and chronic pain. 9. Both mania and depression can significantly affect performance at work or in school, and may contribute to frequent missed days. 10. Children experience bipolar disorder differently than adults, and it may be difficult to recognize bipolar disorder in children. The condition usually displays as intense high and lows within the same day, characterized as extremely giddy or silly and then explosive anger and aggression, as well as long periods of crying. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: How to file for disability in Missouri Social Security Disability Children Benefits Allodynia and Filing for Disability How many hours can you work if you are receiving Social Security Disability? Decisions on disability applications, fully and partially favorable How do you get Social Security Disability? Applying for Disability with high blood pressure Will taking medicine affect your disability case? What do you get when you pay for a disability attorney? Can I afford a disability attorney for my claim? How to file for disability in Rhode Island Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speeded Up Applying for disability with bipolar Will my children get benefits if I get approved for disability? How much time for a decision on a disability claim?